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NEWS: Coastal wetlands are unable to adapt to the rate of sea-level rise and are constrained by infrastructure

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Wetlands, precious ecosystems that shield coastlines, safeguard drinking water from saltwater contamination, and nourish diverse wildlife, face a dire threat from the accelerating pace of sea-level rise, driven by global warming. Wetlands have historically adapted to rising sea levels by expanding upward and inland. However, predictions indicate that the waterline will soon shift far too rapidly for wetlands to keep pace. Consequently, future decades may witness the tragic loss of these vital wetland ecosystems. Wetlands along coastlines have historically played valuable roles for people and wildlife, but are now facing the threat of sea-level rise. As temperatures rise, sea levels are rising at an accelerating rate, and wetlands are unable to keep pace by building upward and migrating inland. This is due to human-induced climate change and the burning of fossil fuels, which has warmed the oceans and melted glaciers. Sea levels are now rising at about 10 millimeters per year, and are
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OPINION: Can private sector help with South Africa's infrastructure? - Kevin Reid

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Construction Professional Kevin Reid shares his hardhatOPINION on the private sector's role in helping with South Africa's infrastructure roll out



What are the immediate things the private sector can do to help with SA's infrastructure?

There is a lot the private sector can do immediately to assist in the infrastructure roll out because they have the ability to be flexible and tailor made solutions to suit market needs.

What are the stumbling blocks preventing the private sector to do the above mentioned things to help with SA's infrastructure.

There are many but one that stands out  to me is poor representation of engineers in the public sector.

ALSO READ: SONA and Budget 2021 response from a Young Professional 

What is the role of the government in encouraging the private sector to do more?

Policy reform is key to unlocking private sector participation, governments need to review their policies especially when policies relating to the procurement of infrastructure.

Is the government doing enough to encourage the involvement of the private sector in SA's infrastructure?

I don't think the government is doing enough to encourage private sector involvement. I am speaking from a contractor’s perspective, the traditional relationship between client and contractor has always been one of master / servant, with a propensity to be confrontational. Procurement procedures are written around this context which leaves very little room, if any for partnering. The IPP roll-out has been long and laborious and I believe much of this is to do with unreasonable policy and bureaucratic stalling. Having said that, the eventual roll-out is a demonstration that PPP can work.

I know of a number of registered, highly proficient and decorated engineers who are sitting unemployed at the moment and are unable to enter the market due to employment equity policies. Not only does this situation add to the growing list of job-seekers, but it deprives our municipalities and other entities of the ability to offer strategic planning, operational oversight and project controls when projects are floated. These engineers should work as employees of these municipalities to ensure that the client's interests are protected at all times.

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